Polyethylene Having High Degree of Crosslinking and Crosslinked Polyethylene Pipe Comprising The Same

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a polyethylene having high degree of crosslinking and a crosslinked polyethylene pipe including the same. The polyethylene according to the present disclosure has a high content of ultra-high molecular weight, and thus a crosslinking rate is improved, and thus a sufficient degree of crosslinking is exhibited even when the crosslinking time is shortened, thereby exhibiting excellent strength and pressure resistance characteristics.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a national phase entry under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/KR2020/002468 filed Feb. 20, 2020, which claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0020025 filed Feb. 20, 2019, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0020644 filed Feb. 19, 2020, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (A) Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a polyethylene having high degree of crosslinking and a crosslinked polyethylene pipe comprising the same.

(b) Description of the Related Art

Crosslinked polyethylene was developed by an electric wire company in 1960 to improve the temperature characteristics by heat generation of an electric wire, and German Thomas Engel has produced a pipe having excellent durability using this polyethylene in 1967.

The crosslinked polyethylene is one that is modified into polyethylene having a three-dimensional network structure by crosslinking high density polyethylene (HDPE) having a linear molecular structure, and has excellent characteristics such as heat resistance, durability, chemical resistance, and flexibility.

On the other hand, as the method of crosslinking polyethylene in this way, there may be mentioned a crosslinking method using an organic peroxide (peroxide crosslinking), a crosslinking method using a silane compound (silane crosslinking), and a crosslinking method using an electron beam irradiation (radiation crosslinking).

In general, polyethylene crosslinked by organic peroxide is referred to as PE-Xa, polyethylene crosslinked by a silane compound is referred to as PE-Xb, and polyethylene crosslinked by an electron beam irradiation is referred to as PE-Xc.

In the case of PE-Xa, it has superior physical properties compared to PE-Xb and PE-Xc, and can produce flexible pipe products, but has a disadvantage that the production output (linear velocity) is low.

Therefore, if the linear velocity is increased in order to increase the production output, the residence time in the extruder is reduced, and the time during which the resin containing the crosslinking agent is exposed to heat, that is, the crosslinking time, is shortened, and thus, there is a problem that the degree of crosslinking decreases.

Accordingly, there is a need to develop a crosslinked polyethylene pipe having a higher degree of crosslinking while increasing the production output.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Technical Problem

Therefore, the present disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and the object of the present disclosure is to provide polyethylene exhibiting a high degree of crosslinking even when a short crosslinking time is applied to improve productivity, and thus has excellent physical properties, and a crosslinked polyethylene pipe comprising the same.

Technical Solution

In order to achieve that above object, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a polyethylene which satisfies:

a density of 0.940 g/cm³ or more and 0.960 g/cm³ or less as measured according to ASTM D792;

a number average molecular weight (Mn) of 20,000 g/mol or more and 70,000 g/mol or less;

a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 150,000 g/mol or more and 350,000 g/mol or less;

a melt index (MI_(21.6)) of 1 g/10 min or more and 10 g/10 min or less as measured at a temperature of 190° C. under a load of 21.6 kg according to ASTM D1238, and

an integration value in a region where log Mw value is 6.0 or more, of 4.5% or more relative to the total integration value, in a GPC curve graph in which the x axis is log Mw and the y axis is dw/d log Mw.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a crosslinked polyethylene pipe including the polyethylene.

Advantageous Effects

The polyethylene according to the present disclosure has a high content of ultra-high molecular weight and thus improves the crosslinking rate (190), and even if the linear velocity is increased and the crosslinking time is shortened to increase productivity, it can exhibit a sufficient degree of crosslinking of 70% or more, thereby exhibiting excellent strength and pressure resistance characteristics.

Therefore, it can be usefully used in the production of crosslinked polyethylene pipes, especially PE-Xa pipes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

As used herein, terms such as first, second, and the like may be used to describe various components, and the terms are used only to discriminate one component from another component.

Also, the terms used herein are used only to describe exemplary embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. A singular expression includes a plural expression unless they have definitely opposite meanings in the context. It should be understood that the terms “comprise”, “include”, and “have” as used herein are intended to designate the presence of stated features, steps, constitutional elements, or combinations thereof, but it should be understood that they do not preclude a possibility of existence or addition of one or more other features, steps, constitutional elements, or combinations thereof.

Since the present disclosure may be modified in various forms and may have several embodiments, particular embodiments will be illustrated and described in detail below. However, it will be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments but the invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope and sprit of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, the polyethylene of the present disclosure and a crosslinked polyethylene pipe comprising the same will be described in more detail.

The polyethylene according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is characterized in that a density measured according to ASTM D792 is 0.940 g/cm³ or more and 0.960 g/cm³ or less; a number average molecular weight (Mn) is 20,000 g/mol or more and 70,000 g/mol or less; a melt index (MI_(21.6)) is 1 g/10 min or more and 10 g/10 min or less as measured at a temperature of 190° C. under a load of 21.6 kg according to ASTM D1238; and an integration value in a region where log Mw value is 6.0 or more, of 4.5% or more relative to the total integration value, in a GPC curve graph in which the x axis is log Mw and the y axis is dw/d log Mw.

The crosslinked polyethylene is one that is modified into polyethylene having a three-dimensional network structure by crosslinking high density polyethylene (HDPE) having a linear molecular structure, and has excellent characteristics such as heat resistance, durability, chemical resistance, and flexibility.

Pipes produced from such crosslinked polyethylene are usually produced by mixing polyethylene with a crosslinking agent and an antioxidant and then extrusion-molding the mixture with a RAM type extruder.

Among the pipes produced from the crosslinked polyethylene in this way, PE-Xa has superior crosslinking physical properties compared to PE-Xb and PE-Xc, and can produce flexible pipe products, but has a disadvantage that the productivity is low.

In this regard, if the linear velocity of the extruder is increased in order to increase productivity, the residence time in the extruder is shortened, so that the crosslinking reaction time between the polyethylene resin and the crosslinking agent is shortened, and so the degree of crosslinking is lowered.

Therefore, the present disclosure has been designed to overcome the low productivity that is a disadvantage of PE-Xa pipes, and the inventors have developed a polyethylene resin suitable for use in PE-Xa pipes in which the molecular structure of polyethylene has been improved, and despite the shorter crosslinking time than before, the crosslinking rate and degree of crosslinking are not reduced and are maintained at 70% or more.

More specifically, paying attention to the fact that the crosslinking rate of the polyethylene resin and the crosslinking agent increases as the content of the polymer in the resin increases, a faster crosslinking rate (T90) can be achieved by increasing the ultra-high molecular weight (polymer with Log Mw 6.0 or more) compared to polyethylene with the same level of melt index, whereby even if the linear velocity of the extruder is increased compared to a conventional method, the degree of crosslinking is maintained at 70% or more, and thus, the effect of improving productivity can be achieved.

Specifically, the polyethylene according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be high density polyethylene (HDPE) having a density of 0.940 g/cm³ or more and 0.960 g/cm³ or less as measured according to ASTM D792.

More specifically, according to one embodiment, the density of the polyethylene of the present disclosure may be 0.940 g/cm³ or more, or 0.942 g/cm³ or more, or 0.945 g/cm³ or more, or 0.947 g/cm³ or more, and 0.960 g/cm³ or less, or 0.958 g/cm³ or less, or 0.957 g/cm³ or less, or 0.956 g/cm³ or less. By having the density range as described above, the polyethylene of the present disclosure can satisfy excellent pressure resistance characteristics.

Further, the polyethylene according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has a number average molecular weight (Mn) of 20,000 to 70,000 g/mol. More specifically, the number average molecular weight may be 20,000 g/mol or more, or 25,000 g/mol or more, or 30,000 g/mol or more, and 70,000 g/mol or less, or 60,000 g/mol or less, or 55,000 g/mol or less.

Further, the polyethylene according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 150,000 to 350,000 g/mol. More specifically, the weight average molecular weight may be 150,000 g/mol or more, or 180,000 g/mol or more, or 200,000 g/mol or more, and 350,000 g/mol or less, or 340,000 g/mol or less, or 330,000 g/mol or less, or 320,000 g/mol or less.

By having the range of the number average molecular weight (Mn) and the weight average molecular weight (Mw) as described above, the polyethylene of the present disclosure may exhibit improved crosslinking properties.

Further, the polyethylene according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has a molecular weight distribution (MWD, Mw/Mn) of 3.0 to 10.0. More specifically, the molecular weight distribution may be 3.0 or more, or 3.5 or more, or 4.0 or more, or 4.5 or more, and 10.0 or less, or 9.0 or less, or 8.5 or less.

By having the molecular weight distribution as described above, the polyethylene of the present disclosure can satisfy high crosslinking properties.

In the present disclosure, the number average molecular weight (Mn), the weight average molecular weight (Mw), and the molecular weight distribution are measured in which the weight average molecular weight (Mw) and the number average molecular weight (Mn) of polyethylene are respectively measured using gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and the ratio of the weight average molecular weight to the number average molecular weight (Mw/Mn) was calculated as the polydispersity index.

Specifically, a polyethylene sample was evaluated using a Waters PL-GPC220 instrument using a PLgel Mixed-B column (300 mm in length) from Polymer Laboratories, wherein an evaluation temperature is set to 160° C., 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene is used as a solvent, and a flow rate is set to 1 mL/min. In addition, a sample is prepared at a concentration of 10 mg/10 mL, and then supplied in an amount of 200 μL. A calibration curve formed by using a polystyrene standard is used to determine Mw and Mn values. The molecular weight of the polystyrene standard used was nine types of 2,000/10,000/30,000/70,000/200,000/700,000/2,000,000/4,000,000/10,000,000.

Further, the polyethylene according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has a melt index (MI_(21.6)) of 1 to 10 g/10 min as measured at a temperature of 190° C. under a load of 21.6 kg according to the ASTM D1238 standard. More specifically, the melt index (MI_(21.6)) may be 1 g/10 min or more, or 1.2 g/10 min or more, or 1.4 g/10 min or more, and 10 g/10 min or less, or 7.5 g/10 min or less, or 5 g/10 min or less.

By having the range of the melt index (MI_(21.6)) as described above, the polyethylene of the present disclosure can satisfy high crosslinking characteristics.

Further, the polyethylene according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may have an integration value in a region where log Mw value is 6.0 or less, of 4.5% or more relative to the total integration value, in a GPC curve graph in which the x axis is log Mw and the y axis is dw/d log Mw. The GPC curve graph means that the logarithmic function molecular weight and mass fraction of polyethylene are measured by GPC and plotted on the x and y axes. Further, in the above, Mw means a weight-average molecular weight.

More specifically, according to an embodiment, the polyethylene of the present disclosure may have the integration value in a region where the Log Mw value is 6.0 or more, of 4.5% or more, or 4.7% or more, or 5% or more, or 5.2% or more, or 5.5% or more, or 6.0% or more, and 10% or less, or 9% or less, or 8.5% or less, or 8.0% or less, or 7.7% or less of the total integration value.

As described above, the integral value of the region where the Log Mw value is 6.0 or more being 4.5% or more means that the polyethylene of the present disclosure has a high molecular weight content. This improves the crosslinking rate, which is proportional to the content of the polymer in the polyethylene resin, the polyethylene of the present disclosure can achieve a higher degree of crosslinking within the same time during a crosslinking reaction with a crosslinking agent.

Therefore, when the crosslinked polyethylene is prepared using the polyethylene of the present disclosure, even when comparing with polyethylene having the same level of melt index, and increasing the linear velocity of the extruder than that of a conventional method, the degree of crosslinking is maintained at 70% or more, thereby achieving an effect of improving productivity without deteriorating physical properties.

Further, when the crosslinked polyethylene is prepared using the polyethylene of the present disclosure, the crosslinking rate (190) measured according to ASTM D 5289 shows a fast crosslinking rate of 10 minutes or less. More specifically, the crosslinking rate (190) may be 10 minutes or less, or 9.8 minutes or less, or 9.5 minutes or less, or 9.0 minutes or less, and 5 minutes or more, or 6 minutes or more, or 7 minutes or more.

On the other hand, polyethylene according to an embodiment of the present disclosure having the physical properties as described can be prepared by a preparation method comprising polymerizing an ethylene monomer in the presence of a specific metallocene compound as a catalytically active component.

More specifically, the polyethylene of the present disclosure can be prepared by polymerizing an ethylene monomer in the presence of a hybrid metallocene catalyst comprising, but not limited thereto, a first metallocene compound represented by the following Chemical Formula 1; and a second metallocene compound represented by the following Chemical Formula 3, in a molar ratio of 20:1 to 5:1.

in the Chemical Formula 1,

Q₁ and Q₂ are the same as or different from each other, and each independently represent hydrogen, a halogen, a C1 to C20 alkyl group, a C2 to C20 alkenyl group, a C2 to C20 alkoxyalkyl group, a C6 to C20 aryl group, a C7 to C20 alkylaryl group, or a C7 to C20 arylalkyl group;

B is carbon, silicon, or germanium;

M₁ is a Group 4 transition metal;

X₁ and X₂ are the same as or different from each other, and each independently represent a halogen, a C1 to C20 alkyl group, a C2 to C10 alkenyl group, a C6 to C20 aryl group, a C7 to C20 alkylaryl group, or a C7 to C20 arylalkyl group;

one of C₁ and C₂ is represented by the following Chemical Formula 2a or Chemical Formula 2b, and the other of C1 and C2 is represented by the following Chemical Formula 2c;

in the Chemical Formulas 2a, 2b and 2c,

R₁ to R₂₁ and R₁′ to R₁₃′ are the same as or different from each other, and each independently represent hydrogen, a halogen, a C1 to C20 alkyl group, a C1 to C20 haloalkyl group, a C2 to C20 alkenyl group, a C1 to C20 alkylsilyl group, a C1 to C20 silylalkyl group, a C1 to C20 alkoxysilyl group, a C1 to C20 alkoxy group, a C6 to C20 aryl group, a C7 to C20 alkylaryl group, or a C7 to C20 arylalkyl group, provided that at least one of R₉ to R₁₃ and R₉′ to R₁₃′ is a C1 to C20 haloalkyl group;

-   -   ⋅ represents a site of binding to B; and     -   * represents a site of binding to M₁,

in the Chemical Formula 3,

M₂ is a Group 4 transition metal;

C_(p1) and C_(p2) are the same as or different from each other, and each independently represent any one cyclic compound selected from the group consisting of cyclopentadienyl, indenyl, 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1-indenyl and fluorenyl, one or more hydrogens of the cyclic compound may be each independently substituted with any one substituent selected among a C1 to 20 alkyl, a C1 to C20 alkoxy, a C2 to C20 alkoxyalkyl, a C6 to C20 aryl, a C7 to C20 alkylaryl, or a C7 to C20 arylalkyl; and

X₃ and X₄ are the same as or different from each other, and each independently represent a halogen, a C1 to C20 alkyl, a C2 to C10 alkenyl, a C6 to C20 aryl, a C7 to C20 alkylaryl, or a C7 to C20 arylalkyl.

The substituents of Chemical Formulas 1 and 2 will be described in more detail below.

The C1 to C20 alkyl group includes a linear or branched alkyl group, and specifically, a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an isopropyl group, an n-butyl group, a tert-butyl group, a pentyl group, a hexyl group, a heptyl group, an octyl group, and the like may be mentioned, but is not limited thereto.

The C2 to C20 alkenyl group includes a linear or branched alkenyl group, and specifically, an allyl group, an ethenyl group, a propenyl group, a butenyl group, a pentenyl group, and the like may be mentioned, but is not limited thereto.

The C6 to C20 aryl group includes a monocyclic or condensed ring aryl group, and specifically, a phenyl group, a biphenyl group, a naphthyl group, a phenanthrenyl group, a fluorenyl group, and the like may be mentioned, but is not limited thereto.

The C1 to C20 alkoxy group may include, but not limited to, a methoxy group, an ethoxy group, a phenyloxy group, and a cyclohexyloxy group.

The C2 to C20 alkoxyalkyl group is a functional group in which at least one hydrogen of the alkyl group as described above is substituted with an alkoxy group, and specifically, alkoxyalkyl groups such as a methoxymethyl group, a methoxyethyl group, an ethoxymethyl group, an iso-propoxymethyl group, an iso-propoxyethyl group, an iso-propoxyhexyl group, a tert-butoxymethyl group, a tert-butoxyethyl group and a tert-butoxyhexyl group; or aryloxyalkyl groups such as a phenoxyhexyl group may be mentioned, but is not limited thereto.

The C1 to C20 alkylsilyl group or the C1 to C20 alkoxysilyl group is a functional group in which 1 to 3 hydrogens of —SiH₃ are substituted with 1 to 3 alkyl or alkoxy groups as described above, and specifically, alkylsilyl groups such as a methylsilyl group, a dimethylsilyl group, a trimethylsilyl group, a dimethylethylsilyl group, a diethylmethylsilyl group, or a dimethylpropylsilyl group; alkoxysilyl groups such as a methoxysilyl group, a dimethoxysilyl group, a trimethoxysilyl group or a diethoxyethoxysilyl group; alkoxyalkylsilyl groups such as a methoxydimethylsilyl group, a diethoxymethylsilyl group, or a dimethoxypropylsilyl group may be mentioned, but is not limited thereto.

The C1 to C20 silylalkyl group is a functional group in which at least one hydrogen of the alkyl group as described above is substituted with a silyl group, and specifically, —CH₂—SiH₃, a methylsilylmethyl group, or a dimethylethoxysilylpropyl group may be mentioned, but are not limited thereto.

The halogen may be fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br), or iodine (I).

The above-described substituents may be optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of a hydroxy group; a halogen; an alkyl group or an alkenyl group, an aryl group, an alkoxy group; an alkyl or an alkenyl group, an aryl group, or an alkoxy group including at least one heteroatom selected among the heteroatoms of Groups 14 to 16; a silyl group; an alkylsilyl group or an alkoxysilyl group; a phosphine group; a phosphide group; a sulfonate group; and a sulfone group which are within a range exhibiting the same or similar effect as the desired effect.

The Group 4 transition metal may include titanium (Ti), zirconium (Zr), and hafnium (Hf), but are not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, R₁ to R₂₁ and R₁′ to R₁₃′ in Chemical Formulas 2a, 2b, and 2c may be each independently hydrogen, a halogen, a C1 to C20 alkyl group, or a C1 to C20 haloalkyl group, and at least one of R₉ to R₁₃ and R₉′ to R₁₃′ may be a C1 to C20 haloalkyl group.

More specifically, R₁ to R₂₁ and R₁′ to R₁₃′ may be each independently hydrogen, a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an isopropyl group, an n-butyl group, a tert-butyl group, a pentyl group, a hexyl group, a heptyl group, an octyl group, or a fluoroalkyl group, and at least one of R₉ to R₁₃ and R₉′ to R₁₃′ may be fluoroalkyl, but is not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure Q₁ and Q₂ in Chemical Formula 1 may be each independently hydrogen, a halogen, a C1 to C20 alkyl group, or a C2 to C20 alkoxyalkyl group.

More specifically, Q₁ and Q₂ may be each independently hydrogen, a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an isopropyl group, an n-butyl group, a tert-butyl group, a methoxymethyl group, a tert-butoxymethyl group, a tert-butoxyhexyl group, 1-ethoxyethyl group, 1-methyl-1-methoxyethyl group, a tetrahydropyranyl group or a tetrahydrofuranyl group, but are not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, B in Chemical Formula 1 is preferably silicon, but is not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, X₁ and X₂ in Chemical Formula 1 may be each independently a halogen or a C1 to C20 alkyl group.

The first metallocene compound of Chemical Formula 1 forms a structure in which an indeno-indole derivative and a cyclopentadiene derivative are asymmetrically crosslinked by a bridge, and by having a non-shared electron pair capable of functioning as a Lewis base in the ligand structure, it is supported on the surface having Lewis acid properties of the support, and exhibits high polymerization activity even when supported. Further, by including the electronically rich indeno-indole group and cyclopentadiene group, the activity is high, and excellent copolymerization property and high activity are maintained due to appropriate steric hindrance and the electronic effect of the ligand. Moreover, beta-hydrogen of the polymer chain in which the nitrogen atom of the indeno-indole derivative grows can be stabilized by hydrogen bonding to suppress beta-hydrogen elimination and polymerize an ultra-high molecular weight polyolefin.

In particular, one or more of R₉ to R₁₃ and R₉′ to R₁₃′ in the transition metal compound of Chemical Formula 1 includes a C1-C20 haloalkyl group. Further, haloalkyl groups containing halogen elements other than other fluorine may also interact with beta-hydrogen, but hydrogen forms a hydrogen bond with highly electronegative atoms such as nitrogen, oxygen, and fluorine. All haloalkyl groups do not form a hydrogen bond with beta-H. It does not form a hydrogen bond with beta-H by including a haloalkyl group, but is an effect exhibited by introducing a fluorine substituent. For example, a fluoroalkyl group, that is, CF₃, etc. may be mentioned. It acts like the nitrogen atom of the indeno-indole derivative, stabilizes beta-hydrogen of a growing polymer chain by hydrogen bonding, further suppresses beta-hydrogen elimination, and more effectively can achieve the polymerization of the ultra-high molecular weight polyolefin. In other words, it maintains the basic skeleton of the catalyst in which the indeno-indole derivative and the cyclopentadiene derivative are asymmetrically crosslinked by a bridge, and by introducing substituents such as CF₃ which is a stronger hydrogen bond acceptor, beta-hydrogen is stabilized by hydrogen bonding, thereby enhancing the effect of suppressing beta-hydrogen elimination and enabling the polymerization of ultra-high molecular weight polyolefin.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, specific examples of the compound represented by Chemical Formula 2a may include a compound represented by the following structural formula, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, specific examples of the compound represented by Chemical Formula 2b may be a compound represented by the following structural formula, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, specific examples of the compound represented by Chemical Formula 2c may include a compound represented by one of the following structural formulas, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, specific examples of the first metallocene compound represented by Chemical Formula 1 may include a compound represented by Chemical Formula 1-1, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. [Structural Formula 1-1]

The first metallocene compound may be synthesized by applying known reactions, and for a more detailed synthesis method, please refer to Examples.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, C_(p1) and C_(p2) in Chemical Formula 3 may be each independently cyclopentadienyl or indenyl, and at least one hydrogen of the cyclopentadienyl or indenyl may be each independently substituted with any one substituent selected among a C1 to 20 alkyl or a C2 to C20 alkoxyalkyl.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, M₂ in Chemical Formula 3 is preferably zirconium (Zr), but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, X₃ and X₄ in Chemical Formula 3 may be each independently a halogen or a C1 to C20 alkyl group.

The second metallocene compound represented by Chemical Formula 3 may be, for example, a compound represented by one of the following structural formulas, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Further, the second metallocene compound represented by Chemical Formula 3 may be more preferably represented by the following Formula 3-1:

The second metallocene compound represented by Chemical Formula 3 may be synthesized by applying known reactions, and for a more detailed synthesis method, refer to Examples.

In the hybrid metallocene catalyst according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first metallocene compound represented by Chemical Formula 1 can mainly contribute to the expression of high molecular weight polyethylene, and the second metallocene compound represented by Chemical Formula 3 can mainly contribute to the expression of low molecular weight polyethylene with a narrow molecular weight distribution.

As the hybrid metallocene catalyst according to an embodiment of the present disclosure uses as a hybrid metallocene catalyst using a metallocene compound with a low molecular weight expression having a narrow polydispersity index and a metallocene compound with a high molecular weight expression together, it is advantageous for polymerizing the polyethylene of the present disclosure described above.

In the hybrid metallocene catalyst of the present disclosure, the molar ratio between the first metallocene compound represented by Chemical Formula 1 and the second metallocene compound represented by Chemical Formula 3 may be 20:1 or 5:1, or 18:1 to 7:1, or 15:1 to 8:1. At this time, when the molar ratio of the first and second metallocene compounds exceeds 20:1 and the content of the first metallocene compound is too large, the density is reduced and the pipe pressure resistance can be deteriorated. When the molar ratio is less than 5:1 and the content of the first metallocene compound is too small, the crosslinking rate can become slow. Therefore, from such a viewpoint, the molar ratio of the first and second metallocene compounds may be preferably in the above-described range.

In the hybrid metallocene catalyst used in the present disclosure, one or more of the first metallocene compound represented by Chemical Formula 1 and one or more of the second metallocene compound represented by Chemical Formula 3 may be supported on respective supports together with a cocatalyst compound.

In the hybrid metallocene catalyst of the present disclosure, the cocatalyst supported together on the support for activating the first and second metallocene compounds is an organometallic compound containing a Group 13 metal, and it is not particularly limited as long as it can be used when polymerizing olefins under a general metallocene catalyst.

Specifically, the cocatalyst compound may include at least one selected among an aluminum-containing first cocatalyst of the following Chemical Formula 4 and a borate-based second cocatalyst of the following Chemical Formula 5.

—[Al(R_(a))—O-]_(k)-  [Chemical Formula 4]

in the Chemical Formula 4, each R_(a) is independently a halogen, a halogen-substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and k is an integer of 2 or more,

T⁺[BG₄]⁻  [Chemical Formula 5]

in the Chemical Formula 5, T⁺ is a +1 charge polyatomic ion, B is boron in an oxidation state of +3, each G is independently selected from the group consisting of a hydride group, a dialkylamido group, a halide group, an alkoxide group, an aryloxide group, a hydrocarbyl group, a halocarbyl group, and a halo-substituted hydrocarbyl group, wherein the G has 20 or less carbon atoms, provided that G is a halide at one or less position.

By using the first and second cocatalysts as described above, the polymerization activity can be further enhanced.

The first cocatalyst of Chemical Formula 4 may be an alkylaluminoxane-based compound wherein the repeating units are combined into a linear, circular, or network form. Specific examples of the first cocatalyst include methylaluminoxane (MAO), ethylaluminoxane, isobutylaluminoxane, butylaluminoxane, and the like.

Further, the second cocatalyst of Chemical Formula 5 may be a trisubstituted ammonium salt, a dialkylammonium salt, or a trisubstituted phosphate type of borate compound. Specific examples of the second cocatalyst include a borate-based compound in the form of a trisubstituted ammonium salt, such as trimethylammonium tetraphenylborate, methyl dioctadecylammonium tetraphenylborate, triethylammonium tetraphenylborate, tripropylammonium tetraphenylborate, tri(n-butyl)ammonium tetraphenylborate, methyltetradecyloctadecylammonium tetraphenylborate, N,N-dimethylanilinium tetraphenylborate, N,N-diethylanilinium tetraphenylborate, N,N-dimethyl(2,4,6-trimethylanilinium)tetraphenylborate, trimethylammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, methylditetradecylammonium tetrakis(pentaphenyl)borate, methyldioctadecylammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, triethylammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, tripropylammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, tri(n-butyl)ammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, tri(sec-butyl)ammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, N,N-dimethylanilinium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, N,N-diethylanilinium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, N,N-dimethyl(2,4,6-trimethylanilinium)tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, trimethylammonium tetrakis(2,3,4,6-tetrafluorophenyl)borate, triethylammonium tetrakis(2,3,4,6-tetrafluorophenyl)borate, tripropylammonium tetrakis(2,3,4,6-tetrafluorophenyl)borate, tri(n-butyl)ammonium tetrakis(2,3,4,6-tetrafluorophenyl)borate, dimethyl(t-butyl)ammonium tetrakis(2,3,4,6-tetrafluorophenyl)borate, N,N-dimethylanilinium tetrakis(2,3,4,6-tetrafluorophenyl)borate, N,N-diethylanilinium tetrakis(2,3,4,6-tetrafluorophenyl)borate or N,N-dimethyl-(2,4,6-trimethylanilinium)tetrakis-(2,3,4,6-tetrafluorophenyl)borate and the like; a borate-based compound in the form of a dialkylammonium salt, such as dioctadecylammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, ditetradecylammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl) borate or dicyclohexylammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate; or a borate-based compound in the form of a trisubstituted phosphonium salt, such as triphenylphosphonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, methyldioctadecylphosphonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, or tri(2,6-dimethylphenyl)phosphonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate.

In the metallocene catalyst according to the present disclosure, the mass ratio of the support relative to the total weight of the transition metals contained in the first and second metallocene compounds may be 1:10 to 1:1,000. When the support and the metallocene compound are contained in the range of the above mass ratio, an optimal shape can be provided. Further, the mass ratio of the cocatalyst compound to the support may be 1:1 to 1:100.

In the metallocene catalyst according to the present disclosure, as the support, a support containing a hydroxy group on its surface can be used, and preferably a support having a highly reactive hydroxy group and siloxane group, of which the surface is dried and removed of moisture, can be used.

For example, silica, silica-alumina, silica-magnesia, or the like, which are dried at high temperature, can be used, and they may typically contain oxides, carbonates, sulfates, and nitrates such as Na₂O, K₂CO₃, BaSO₄, and Mg(NO₃)₂.

The drying temperature of the support is preferably 200 to 800° C., more preferably 300 to 600° C., and most preferably 300 to 400° C. If the drying temperature of the support is lower than 200° C., it retains excessive moisture such that moisture on the surface is reacted with the cocatalyst. If the drying temperature is higher than 800° C., pores on the surface of the support are combined with each other to reduce the surface area, and many hydroxyl groups are lost on the surface to leave only siloxane groups. Thus, since the reactive sites with cocatalyst are reduced, it is not preferable.

The amount of hydroxyl groups on the surface of the support is preferably 0.1 to 10 mmol/g, and more preferably 0.5 to 5 mmol/g. The amount of hydroxyl groups on the surface of the support may be controlled depending on the preparation method and conditions of the support, or drying conditions such as temperature, time, vacuum, spray drying, and the like.

If the amount of hydroxyl groups is less than 0.1 mmol/g, the reactive sites with the cocatalyst are reduced. If the amount of hydroxyl groups is more than 10 mmol/g, it is not desirable because it may be caused by moisture in addition to the hydroxyl groups present on the surface of support particles.

Meanwhile, the polyethylene according to the present disclosure can be prepared by polymerizing an ethylene monomer in the presence of the above-described hybrid metallocene catalyst.

Alternatively, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it may be prepared by copolymerizing an ethylene monomer and another olefinic comonomer together.

Specific examples of the olefinic monomer may include 1-butene, 1-pentene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-heptene, 1-octene, 1-decene, 1-undecene, 1-dodecene, 1-tetradecene, 1-hexadecene, 1-eicosene, and the like, and these monomers may be copolymerized by mixing two or more thereof.

In the case where the olefinic polymer is an ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer, the content of alpha-olefin as a comonomer is not particularly limited, and it may be appropriately selected according to the use or purpose of the olefinic polymer.

The polymerization reaction may be carried out by polymerizing monomers, using a continuous slurry polymerization reactor, a loop slurry reactor, a gas phase reactor, or a solution reactor.

And, the polymerization temperature may be about 25 to about 500° C., preferably about 25 to about 200° C., and more preferably about 50 to about 150° C. Further, the polymerization pressure may be from about 1 to about 100 Kgf/cm², preferably from about 1 to about 50 Kgf/cm², and more preferably from about 5 to about 30 Kgf/cm².

The metallocene catalyst may be injected after being dissolved or diluted in an aliphatic hydrocarbon solvent having 5 to 12 carbon atoms, for example, pentane, hexane, heptane, nonane, decane, and isomers thereof, an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent such as toluene and benzene, or a hydrocarbon solvent substituted with a chlorine atom such as dichloromethane and chlorobenzene. It is preferable that the solvent is used after a small amount of water, air, or the like acting as a catalyst poison is removed by treating with a small amount of aluminum. It can also be performed by further using a cocatalyst.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a crosslinked polyethylene pipe including the polyethylene is provided.

The crosslinked polyethylene pipe of the present disclosure may be produced by subjecting the above-mentioned polyethylene to RAM extrusion molding. The RAM extrusion molding is used in the extrusion molding field where uniform and high pressure is required, and has the effect of processing a high molecular weight polyethylene resin during production of a crosslinked polyethylene pipe, as compared with a screw-type extrusion molding.

The RAM extrusion molding may be performed by a method used for producing a conventional crosslinked polyethylene pipe, and is not particularly limited.

Further, in the production of the crosslinked polyethylene pipe, a conventional crosslinking agent, an antioxidant and the like can be mixed together with the polyethylene of the present disclosure to perform extrusion.

As the crosslinking agent, an organic peroxide crosslinking agent may be used. Specific examples of the organic peroxide crosslinking agent may include di-t-butyl peroxide (DTBP), dicumyl peroxide, di-t-amyl peroxide, 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(t-butylperoxy)hexane, and the like, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Further, the content of the crosslinking agent is not particularly limited, but it may be contained in an amount of 0.4 to 1 part by weight based on 100 parts by weight of polyethylene.

As the antioxidant, a phenolic antioxidant may be used. Specific examples of the phenolic antioxidant may include IRGANOX 1076, IRGANOX 1010, BHT, songnox 1076, and the like, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In addition, the content of the antioxidant is not particularly limited, but it may be contained in an amount of 0.1 to 0.6 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of polyethylene.

Further, the crosslinked pipe may be a PE-Xa pipe.

Further, the polyethylene according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may have a degree of crosslinking of 70% or more as measured according to KS M ISO 10147.

More specifically, according to one embodiment, the polyethylene of the present disclosure has a degree of crosslinking of 70% or more, or 75% or more, or 77% or more, or 80% or more, or 82% or more, or 83% or more, and 99% or less, or 96% or less, or 92% or less as measured according to KS M ISO 10147.

By having the high degree of crosslinking of 70% or more as described above, the polyethylene of the present disclosure may have excellent mechanical strength.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments are presented to aid in understanding the present disclosure. However, the following examples are provided for a better understanding of the present disclosure, and the contents of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

EXAMPLE Synthesis Example of Metallocene Compound Synthesis Example 1: Synthesis of First Metallocene Compound

1-1 Preparation of Ligand Compound

2.9 g (7.4 mmol) of 8-methyl-5-(2-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-5,10-dihydroindeno[1,2-b]indole was dissolved in 100 mL of hexane and 2 mL (16.8 mmol) of MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether), and 3.2 mL (8.1 mmol) of a 2.5 M n-BuLi hexane solution was added dropwise in a dry ice/acetone bath, and then the mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. 2 g (7.4 mmol) of (6-tert-butoxyhexyl)dichloro(methyl)silane was dissolved in 50 mL of hexane in another 250 mL Schlenk flask, and then added dropwise in a dry ice/acetone bath, and a lithiated slurry of 8-methyl-5-(2-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-5,10-dihydroindeno[1,2-b]indole was added dropwise via a cannula. After the injection was completed, the mixture was slowly raised to room temperature and then stirred at room temperature overnight. At the same time, 1.2 g (7.4 mmol) of fluorene was also dissolved in 100 mL of THF, and 3.2 mL (8.1 mmol) of 2.5 M n-BuLi hexane solution was added dropwise in a dry ice/acetone bath, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight.

Reaction solution (Si solution) of 8-methyl-5-(2-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-5,10-dihydroindeno[1,2-b]indole and (6-(tert-butoxy)hexyl)dichloro(methyl)silane was subjected to NMR sampling to confirm the completion of the reaction.

¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): 7.74-6.49 (11H, m), 5.87 (2H, s), 4.05 (1H, d), 3.32 (2H, m), 3.49 (3H, s), 1.50-1.25 (8H, m), 1.15 (9H, s), 0.50 (2H, m), 0.17 (3H, d)

After confirming the synthesis first, a lithiated solution of fluorene was slowly added dropwise to the Si solution in a dry ice/acetone bath, and then the mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. After the reaction, extraction was performed with ether/water, and residual moisture in the organic layer was removed with MgSO₄, and then the solvent was removed under vacuum and reduced pressure conditions to obtain 5.5 g (7.4 mmol) of the oily ligand compound, which could be confirmed by ¹H-NMR.

¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): 7.89-6.53 (19H, m), 5.82 (2H, s), 4.26 (1H, d), 4.14-4.10 (1H, m), 3.19 (3H, s), 2.40 (3H, m), 1.35-1.21 (6H, m), 1.14 (9H, s), 0.97-0.9 (4H, m), −0.34 (3H, t).

1-2 Preparation of Metallocene Compound

5.4 g (Mw 742.00, 7.4 mmol) of the ligand compound synthesized in 1-1 was dissolved in 80 mL of toluene and 3 mL (25.2 mmol) of MTBE, and 7.1 mL (17.8 mmol) of 2.5 M n-BuLi hexane solution was added dropwise in a dry ice/acetone bath and stirred at room temperature overnight. 3.0 g (8.0 mmol) of ZrCl₄(THF)₂ was added to 80 mL of toluene to prepare a slurry. 80 mL of ZrCl₄(THF)₂ as a toluene slurry was transferred to a ligand-Li solution in a dry ice/acetone bath and stirred at room temperature overnight.

The reaction mixture was filtered to remove LiCl, the filtrate was dried under vacuum to remove toluene, and then 100 mL of hexane was added thereto and sonicated for 1 hour. This was filtered to obtain 3.5 g of a purple metallocene compound as a filtered solid (yield 52 mol %).

¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): 7.90-6.69 (9H, m), 5.67 (2H, s), 3.37 (2H, m), 2.56 (3H, s), 2.13-1.51 (11H, m), 1.17 (9H, s).

Synthesis Example 2. Synthesis of Second Metallocene Compound Preparation of [tBu-O—(CH₂)₆—C₅H₄]₂ZrCl₂

Tert-Butyl-O—(CH₂)₆—Cl was prepared using 6-chlorohexanol by the method suggested in the literature [Tetrahedron Lett. 2951 (1988)], and reacted with NaCp to obtain t-Butyl-O—(CH₂)₆—C₅H₅ (yield: 60%, b.p. 80° C./0.1 mmHg).

Further, t-butyl-O—(CH₂)₆—C₅H₅ was dissolved in THF at −78° C., n-butyllithium (n-BuLi) was slowly added thereto, the reaction temperature was raised to room temperature, and the mixture was then allowed to react for 8 hours. The solution was again reacted in which the already synthesized lithium salt solution was slowly added to a suspension solution of ZrCl₄(THF)₂ (1.70 g, 4.50 mmol)/THF (30 ml) at −78° C. and further reacted at room temperature for 6 hours.

All volatile substances were vacuum dried, and a hexane solvent was added to the obtained oily liquid substance and the mixture was filtered out. The filtered solution was vacuum dried, and then hexane was added thereto to induce a precipitate at low temperature (−20° C.). The obtained precipitate was filtered off at a low temperature to obtain a [tBu-O—(CH₂)₆—C₅H₄]₂ZrCl₂ compound as a white solid (yield: 92%).

¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): 6.28 (t, J=2.6 Hz, 2H), 6.19 (t, J=2.6 Hz, 2H), 3.31 (t, 6.6 Hz, 2H), 2.62 (t, J=8 Hz), 1.7-1.3 (m, 8H), 1.17 (s, 9H).

¹³C NMR (CDCl₃): 135.09, 116.66, 112.28, 72.42, 61.52, 30.66, 30.61, 30.14, 29.18, 27.58, 26.00.

Preparation Example of Hybrid Supported Catalyst Preparation Example 1

5.0 kg of a toluene solution was added to a 20 L sus autoclave, and the reactor temperature was maintained at 40° C. 1000 g of silica (produced by Grace Davison, SP 948) was dehydrated by applying vacuum for 12 hours at a temperature of 600° C., and then added to a reactor to sufficiently disperse the silica. 495 g of the first metallocene compound of Synthesis Example 1 was then dissolved in toluene and then added thereto. The mixture was allowed to react while stirring at 200 rpm at 40° C. for 2 hours. Then, the stirring was stopped, and the reaction solution was settled for 30 minutes and decanted.

2.5 kg of toluene was added to the reactor, and 9.4 kg of a 10 wt % methylaluminoxane (MAO)/toluene solution was added thereto, and the mixture was stirred at 200 rpm at 40° C. for 12 hours. After the reaction, the stirring was stopped, and the reaction solution was settled for 30 minutes and decanted. 3.0 kg of toluene was added thereto and stirred for 10 minutes, then the stirring was stopped, and the reaction solution was settled for 30 minutes and decanted.

3.0 kg of toluene was added to the reactor, and 28 g of the second metallocene compound of Synthesis Example 2 was dissolved in 1 L of a toluene solution and added to the reactor, and allowed to react while stirring at 200 rpm at 40° C. for 2 hours. After lowering the reactor temperature to room temperature, the stirring was stopped, and the reaction solution was settled for 30 minutes and decanted.

2.0 kg of toluene was added to the reactor and stirred for 10 minutes. Then, stirring was stopped, and the reaction solution was settled for 30 minutes, and decanted.

3.0 kg of hexane was added to the reactor, a hexane slurry was transferred to a filter dryer, and the hexane solution was filtered. The filtrate was dried under reduced pressure at 40° C. for 4 hours to prepare 1 kg of a SiO₂ hybrid supported catalyst (molar ratio between the first metallocene compound and the second metallocene compound was 10:1).

Preparation Example 2

The hybrid supported catalyst was prepared in the same manner as in Preparation Example 1, except that 476 g of the first metallocene compound of Synthesis Example 1 was added, and 34 g of the second metallocene compound of Synthesis Example 2 was added. In the prepared hybrid supported catalyst, the molar ratio between the first metallocene compound and the second metallocene compound was 8:1.

Polyethylene Polymerization Example 1

The supported catalyst prepared in Preparation Example 1 was added to a single slurry polymerization process to prepare a high-density polyethylene.

First, hexane was injected at a flow rate of 25 ton/hr, ethylene at 10 ton/hr, hydrogen at 20 ppm (relative to ethylene), and triethyl aluminum (TEAL) at 10 kg/hr into a reactor with a capacity of 100 m³, respectively. Further, the hybrid supported metallocene catalyst according to Preparation Example 1 was injected at 0.5 kg/hr. Then, ethylene was continuously reacted in the form of a hexane slurry at a reactor temperature of 82° C. and a pressure of 7.0 kg/cm² to 7.5 kg/cm², and then subjected to solvent removal and drying process to prepare high density polyethylene in powder form.

Example 2

The high-density polyethylene in powder form was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the amount of hydrogen charged was 30 ppm relative to ethylene.

Example 3

The high-density polyethylene in powder form was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the supported catalyst prepared in Preparation Example 2 was charged into a single slurry polymerization process.

Comparative Example 1

The polyethylene prepared using a Ziegler-Natta catalyst, XL1800 product by LG Chem, was used as Comparative Example 1.

Comparative Example 2

The polyethylene prepared using a Ziegler-Natta catalyst, 8100GX product by Lotte Chemical, was used as Comparative Example 2.

Production of Crosslinked Polyethylene Pipe Example 4

100 g of polyethylene of Example 1 was mixed with 0.3 g of n-octadecyl-3-(3,5-di-tert.butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionate (product name Irganox 1076, produced by BASF) as an antioxidant and 0.6 g of di-tert-butyl peroxide (product name: Trigonox B, produced by Akzo Nobel) as a crosslinking agent, and dispersed using a Henschell Mixer (RPM 400, mixing time 15 min, mix temp <40° C.).

Subsequently, in order to produce the crosslinked polyethylene pipe, extrusion was performed with a Ram type extruder. At this time, the pipe diameter of the extruder was set to 20 mm, the thickness was set to 1.9 mm, and the linear velocity during pipe extrusion was set to 2.2 m/min. Temperature conditions were set to Body 130° C., Adaptor 180° C., Die—240° C.

Example 5

The crosslinked polyethylene pipe was produced in the same manner as in Example 4, except that the polyethylene of Example 2 was used instead of the polyethylene of Example 1, and the linear velocity during pipe extrusion was set to 2.1 m/min.

Example 6

The crosslinked polyethylene pipe was produced in the same manner as in Example 4, except that the polyethylene of Example 3 was used instead of the polyethylene of Example 1, and the linear velocity during pipe extrusion was set to 2.1 m/min.

Comparative Example 3

The crosslinked polyethylene pipe was produced in the same manner as in Example 4, except that the polyethylene of Comparative Example 1 was used instead of the polyethylene of Example 1, and the linear velocity during pipe extrusion was set to 1.8 m/min.

Comparative Example 4

The crosslinked polyethylene pipe was produced in the same manner as in Example 4, except that the polyethylene of Comparative Example 2 was used instead of the polyethylene of Example 1, and the linear velocity during pipe extrusion was set to 1.8 m/min.

Comparative Example 5

The crosslinked polyethylene pipe was produced in the same manner as in Example 4, except that the polyethylene of Comparative Example 1 was used instead of the polyethylene of Example 1, and the linear velocity during pipe extrusion was set to 2.2 m/min.

Experimental Example

Evaluation of Physical Properties

Physical properties of the polyethylene and the crosslinked polyethylene pipes produced in the Examples and Comparative Examples were evaluated by the following method.

(1) Weight average molecular weight (Mw) and molecular weight distribution (MWD, polydispersity index), GPC curve:

The weight average molecular weight (Mw) and the number average molecular weight (Mn) of the polymer were measured using a gel permeation chromatography (GPC; produced by Waters Corp.), and the polydispersity index (PDI) was calculated by dividing the weight average molecular weight into the number average molecular weight.

Specifically, polyethylene sample was evaluated using a Waters PL-GPC220 instrument using a PLgel Mixed-B column (300 mm in length) from Polymer Laboratories, wherein an evaluation temperature was set to 160° C., 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene was used as a solvent, and a flow rate was set to 1 mL/min. In addition, a sample was prepared at a concentration of 10 mg/10 mL, and then supplied in an amount of 200 μL. A calibration curve formed by using a polystyrene standard was used to determine Mw and Mn values. The molecular weight of the polystyrene standard used was nine types of 2,000/10,000/30,000/70,000/200,000/700,000/2,000,000/4,000,000/10,000,000.

(2) Melt Index (MI_(21.6)):

Measured according to the ASTM D1238 standard (Condition E, 190° C., 21.6 kg load).

(3) Density: Measured according to the ASTM D792 standard.

(4) Log Mw (6.0): Through the GPC curve graph measured in the above (1), it was calculated by the ratio of the integration value in a region where the Log Mw value is 6.0 or more relative to the entire area (integration value) of the entire GPC curve graph.

(5) crosslinking rate (T90, min)

The crosslinking rate was measured according to ASTM D 5289, and was evaluated by measuring the time T90 until it became 90% of the maximum torque when a vulcanization curve was measured at 180° C. for 30 minutes by a vulcanization tester (equipment name: Premier MDR, produced by Alpha Technologies). The vibrational motion at this time was performed at 1 Hz.

It means that as the value of T90 is smaller, the crosslinking proceeds faster, and that as the value is large, the crosslinking proceeds more slowly.

At this time, the sample used in the experiment was prepared as follows. First, 100 g of polyethylene, 0.3 g of antioxidant (Irganox 1076), and 0.6 g of crosslinking agent (di-tert-butyl peroxide) were mixed, and then the soaking time was set to 6 hours or more. Then, the press device (device name: Presses Type E, produced by Collin) was used to perform a melt process at 140° C. and 30 bar for 4 minutes, and then prepared into a 2T sheet for use.

(6) Linear Velocity

During pipe production, the length produced for 1 minute with the portion passing through the water bath was measured three times using a tape measure, and the average value was taken as the linear velocity (unit: m/min).

(6) Degree of crosslinking: Measured according to KS M ISO 10147.

TABLE 1 Crosslinked Example Example Example Comparative Comparative Comparative polyethylene 4 5 6 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Polyethylene Example Example Example Comparative Comparative Comparative 1 2 3 Example 1 Example 2 Example 1 Mn (g/mol) 45,000 36,000 49,000 53,900 52,000 53,900 Mw (g/mol) 284,000 248,000 219,000 221,000 231,000 221,000 MWD 6.2 6.8 4.6 3.9 4.1 3.9 MI_(21.6) 2.0 4.0 2.9 2.0 1.5 2.0 (g/10min) Density 0.948 0.948 0.948 0.948 0.945 0.948 (g/cm³) Log MW ≥ 6.0 7.6 6.2 4.7 3.2 3.5 3.2 (%)* T90 (min) 8.9 9.4 9.9 10.2 10.5 10.2 Linear 2.2 2.1 2.1 1.8 1.8 2.2 velocity (m/min) Degree of 86 86 83 87 75 80 crosslinking (%) *the ratio of the integration value of the area where the log Mw value was 6.0 or more relative to the total integral value, in the GPC curve graph where the x-axis is log Mw and the y-axis is dw/dlogMw.

Referring to Table 1, the polyethylene of Examples 1 to 3 according to the present disclosure exhibited a high content of ultra-high molecular weight, with the ratio of the integration value of the area where the log Mw value was 6.0 or more to the total integral value being 4.5% or more in the GPC curve graph.

Therefore, despite the crosslinking reaction proceeds rapidly with the crosslinking rate (T90) of less than 10 minutes during crosslinking, and even though extrusion was performed at a high linear velocity of 2.0 m/min or more, the degree of crosslinking was shown to be equal to or superior to that of Comparative Examples. 

1. A polyethylene which satisfies: a density of 0.940 g/cm³ or more and 0.960 g/cm³ or less as measured according to ASTM D792; a number average molecular weight (Mn) of 20,000 g/mol or more and 70,000 g/mol or less; a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 150,000 g/mol or more and 350,000 g/mol or less; a melt index (MI_(21.6)) of 1 g/10 min or more and 10 g/10 min or less as measured at a temperature of 190° C. under a load of 21.6 kg according to ASTM D1238, and an integration value in a region where log Mw value is 6.0 or more, of 4.5% or more relative to the total integration value, in a GPC curve graph in which the x axis is log Mw and the y axis is dw/d log Mw.
 2. The polyethylene according to claim 1, wherein the integration value in a region where the log Mw value is 6.0 or more is 4.5% to 10% relative to the total integration value.
 3. The polyethylene according to claim 1, which has a polydispersity index (PDI, Mw/Mn) of 3.0 or more and 10.0 or less.
 4. The polyethylene according to claim 1, which is prepared by polymerizing an ethylene monomer in the presence of a hybrid metallocene catalyst comprising a first metallocene compound represented by the following Chemical Formula 1; and a second metallocene compound represented by the following Chemical Formula 3 in a molar ratio of 20:1 to 5:1,

in the Chemical Formula 1, Q₁ and Q₂ are the same as or different from each other, and each independently represents hydrogen, a halogen, a C1 to C20 alkyl group, a C2 to C20 alkenyl group, a C2 to C20 alkoxyalkyl group, a C6 to C20 aryl group, a C7 to C20 alkylaryl group, or a C7 to C20 arylalkyl group; B is carbon, silicon, or germanium; M₁ is a Group 4 transition metal; X₁ and X₂ are the same as or different from each other, and each independently represents a halogen, a C1 to C20 alkyl group, a C2 to C10 alkenyl group, a C6 to C20 aryl group, a C7 to C20 alkylaryl group, or a C7 to C20 arylalkyl group; one of C1 and C2 is represented by the following Chemical Formula 2a or Chemical Formula 2b, and the other of C1 and C2 is represented by the following Chemical Formula 2c;

in the Chemical Formulas 2a, 2b and 2c, R₁ to R₂₁ and R₁′ to R₁₃′ are the same as or different from each other, and each independently represents hydrogen, a halogen, a C1 to C20 alkyl group, a C1 to C20 haloalkyl group, a C2 to C20 alkenyl group, a C1 to C20 alkylsilyl group, a C1 to C20 silylalkyl group, a C1 to C20 alkoxysilyl group, a C1 to C20 alkoxy group, a C6 to C20 aryl group, a C7 to C20 alkylaryl group, or a C7 to C20 arylalkyl group, provided that at least one of R9 to R13 and R9′ to R13′ is a C1 to C20 haloalkyl group; ⋅ represents a site of binding to B; and * represents a site of binding to M₁,

in the Chemical Formula 3, M₂ is a Group 4 transition metal; C_(p1) and C_(p2) are the same as or different from each other, and each independently represents a cyclic compound selected from the group consisting of cyclopentadienyl, indenyl, 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1-indenyl and fluorenyl, one or more hydrogens of the cyclic compound are each independently substituted with any one substituent selected among a C1 to 20 alkyl, a C1 to C20 alkoxy, a C2 to C20 alkoxyalkyl, a C6 to C20 aryl, a C7 to C20 alkylaryl, or a C7 to C20 arylalkyl; and X₃ and X₄ are the same as or different from each other, and each independently represents a halogen, a C1 to C20 alkyl, a C2 to C10 alkenyl, a C6 to C20 aryl, a C7 to C20 alkylaryl, or a C7 to C20 arylalkyl.
 5. The polyethylene according to claim 4, wherein R₁ to R₂₁ and R₁′ to R₁₃′ in Chemical Formulas 2a, 2b and 2c each independently represents hydrogen, a halogen, a C1 to C20 alkyl group, or a C1 to C20 haloalkyl group.
 6. The polyethylene according to claim 4, wherein the first metallocene compound represented by Chemical Formula 1 is a compound represented by the following Chemical Formula 1-1:


7. The polyethylene according to claim 4, wherein the second metallocene compound represented by Chemical Formula 3 is represented by one of the following structural formulas:


8. A crosslinked polyethylene pipe produced by a crosslinking reaction of the polyethylene of claim 1, and a crosslinking agent.
 9. The crosslinked polyethylene pipe according to claim 8, wherein the crosslinking agent comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of di-t-butyl peroxide (DTBP), dicumyl peroxide, di-t-amyl peroxide, and 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(t-butylperoxy)hexane.
 10. The crosslinked polyethylene pipe according to claim 8, wherein a degree of crosslinking measured according to KS M ISO 10147 is 70% or more.
 11. The crosslinked polyethylene pipe according to claim 8, which is a PE-Xa pipe.
 12. The crosslinked polyethylene pipe according to claim 8, wherein a crosslinking rate (T90) measured according to ASTM D 5289 is 10 minutes or less.
 13. The polyethylene according to claim 4, wherein in the Chemical Formula 1, Q₁ and Q₂ are each independently hydrogen, a halogen, a C1 to C20 alkyl group, or a C2 to C20 alkoxyalkyl group; B is silicon; and X₁ and X₂ are each independently a halogen or a C1 to C20 alkyl group.
 14. The polyethylene according to claim 4, wherein in the Chemical Formula 3, Cp₁ and Cp₂ are each independently cyclopentadienyl or indenyl, and at least one hydrogen of the cyclopentadienyl or indenyl is substituted with any one substituent selected among a C1 to 20 alkyl or a C2 to C20 alkoxyalkyl; M₂ is zirconium (Zr); X₃ and X₄ are each independently a halogen or a C1 to C20 alkyl group.
 15. The crosslinked polyethylene pipe according to claim 8, wherein the crosslinking agent is included in an amount of 0.4 to 1 part by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the polyethylene. 